The Strathclyde-Briton people of ancient Scotland were the first to use the name Beeird. It is a name for someone who works as a poet, which was originally derived from the Gaelic word bard.[1]CITATION[CLOSE]Lowe, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.

Early Origins of the Beeird family

The surname Beeird was first found in Lanarkshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Lannraig) a former county in the central Strathclyde region of Scotland, now divided into the Council Areas of North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire, and the City of Glasgow, where they held a family seat from ancient times. According to legend, William the Lion, King of Scotland was alarmed by the approach of a wild boar, while hunting in one of the southwestern counties. Baird, who was a follower in the King's train, came forward to assist the King. Baird needed only a single arrow to slay the boar, and was rewarded for this service by the king. He was granted large areas of lands, and was assigned a Coat of Arms on which there is a wild boar. King William also commanded that Baird would have as his motto Dominus Fecit (The Lord made). In the Churchyard of Banff, Scotland, Baird's Arms may still be seen in an ancient monument to the Bairds of Auchmeddan.

Early History of the Beeird family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Beeird research.Another 285 words (20 lines of text) covering the years 1616, 1656, 1647, 1667, 1620, 1698, 1654, 1737, 1686, 1745, 1697, 1658, 1715, 1690, 1740 and are included under the topic Early Beeird History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Beeird Spelling Variations

Before the printing press standardized spelling in the last few hundred years, no general rules existed in the English language. Spelling variations in Scottish names from the Middle Ages are common even within a single document. Beeird has been spelled Baird, Bard, Barde, Baard, Bayard, Beard and many more.

Early Notables of the Beeird family (pre 1700)

Notable amongst the family at this time was Henry Bard, 1st Viscount Bellomont (1616-1656), an English Royalist; Charles Rupert Bard, 2nd Viscount Bellomont (1647-1667); and Sir John Baird of Newbyth, Lord Newbyth (1620-1698), a Scottish advocate, judge, politician and diplomat, Commissioner for Aberdeenshire in the Parliament of Scotland... Another 48 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Beeird Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Beeird family to Ireland

Some of the Beeird family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.Another 105 words (8 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Beeird family to the New World and Oceana

For Scottish immigrants, the great expense of travel to North America did not seem such a problem in those unstable times. Acres of land awaited them and many got the chance to fight for their freedom in the American War of Independence. These Scots and their ancestors went on to play important roles in the forging of the great nations of the United States and Canada. Among them: James Baird who arrived in America in 1685; John Baird settled in Charles Town [Charleston], South Carolina in 1773; Thomas Baird settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1774.

The Beeird Motto

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.